Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, speaking to reporters outside his Capitol office, said he no longer expects the ACC to act quickly after adding Pittsburgh and Syracuse from the Big East earlier this month.

“I think there was expectancy built up initially that this was quickly going to be resolved,” he said. “That’s clearly not the case. The ACC has the first decision to make and that’s whether they’re going to stay at 14 teams or stay at 16. I know that there’s one team, one school that they would like to get into the ACC that would guarantee them going to 16 teams and that’s been speculated to be Notre Dame. I suspect that that’s true. I don’t know how likely that is to happen or not happen. Although, I tend to think it’s not terribly likely.”

Malloy said if Notre Dame isn’t interested the ACC must decide if there is any compelling reason to expand again.

“Beyond that, then you fall back to the Big East,” he said “The Big East then has to rebuild itself to fill the loss of the two teams that left and has to worry about its ability to compete on the major sports of basketball and football in particular, as well as how do we make that work for student athletes.”

Well played, governor. I’m sure announcing that UConn will settle to fall back into the Big East will do wonders for the effort to rebuild the conference. It just enhances that image of stability.

“Developing the Super Conference” was the name of the booklet that first proposed the idea in 1990, and its 240 pages held the future of college athletics. It’s just that no one knew how long it would take to get there.

That plan, the first to suggest the super-conference model as the best way to maximize a league’s value, was written by Charlotte-based Raycom Sports for the now-defunct Metro Conference. From that, the concept of a super conference and its merits were born. Based on where conference expansion now appears to be headed, it was an idea well ahead of its time.

…

Raycom, the dominant TV production company and syndicator of that day, had deals with the Big Eight, Southwest Conference, Big Ten and ACC. It spent six months developing the super-conference model, taking into account TV households, conference footprint, alumni bases, regional rivalries and institutional compatibility. The 240 pages included everything from mock schedules and average attendance in football to SAT scores for each school.

Raycom’s plan called for the Metro to expand to 16 football-playing schools with two eight-team divisions or four four-team divisions, similar to what has been discussed by the ACC, the Pac-12 and others in recent weeks. It was compelling enough that at one point that spring in 1990, presidents and ADs from all 16 schools met in Dallas to talk it through.

The Metro Conference was a non-football conference. In 1990 its members were: FSU, Louisville, Cinci, Memphis St., South Carolina, Southern Miss, Tulane and Virginia Tech. The other schools that attended the Dallas meeting: Temple, West Virginia, Miami, East Carolina, Boston College, Syracuse, Penn State and Pitt.

Of course, Penn State went to the Big Ten that year. A year after that, FSU chose to join the ACC. South Carolina (and Arkansas) went to the SEC. Conference upheaval, is arguably not that new a thing. It is just that college sports are not quite so regionalized any longer, and the money is so much bigger.

Authorities have not identified the victims, but Helen Smith said her son-in-law, Marcus Mason, and daughter, Hannah, of Pittsburgh, were among those attacked. She said they were stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic outside Milan Puskar Stadium when someone threw a rock in the car’s driver’s side window.

Hannah, who is 22 weeks pregnant, was driving at the time. The rock landed in her lap, Smith said.

When her husband asked a group of people who threw the rock, several individuals approached the vehicle.

Randy Smith, Hannah’s father, said three men attempted to drag two of the couple’s friends from the back seat before grabbing Marcus. They then pulled him out of the vehicle and started beating him.

Hannah rushed around the car to her husband and tried to stop the attackers, he said. She was knocked down in the process.

Smith said other drivers in traffic did not attempt to stop the beating until Hannah started screaming at the attackers, saying she was pregnant.

“I think it probably saved his life. He was not conscious or moving when she got to him,” he said.

Marcus sustained a broken nose, a crushed eye socket and a fractured frontal bone in the middle of his forehead, Hannah said in a Facebook post Sunday.

– gave an unearned MBA to the WV governor’s daughter who is a VP of major industry whose owner happens to have the football fiels named after him (Milan Puskar)
– took conisiderable pride in being named as a Top 10 party school (probably listed it in their brochure)
– had ex football coach who is a WVU alum sue the school
– someone from adult section throws a coin that hits the forehead of a Pitt assistant BB coach
– head basketball coach has 2 drunken episodes, and incoming FB coach has incident at WV casino
– head FB coach asks media to ‘dig up dirt’ against his incoming replacement resulting in his early dismissal
– had to have special legislation to make couch burning illegal
– gave gift cards for WVU merchandise for people handing in obscene T-shirts
– LSU fan and pregnant wife assaulted after the game

Well documented, wbb. This corner is NOT lamenting the loss of the Mountaineers from future Pitt CONFERENCE schedules. Neither do I regret the distancing of Pitt from the association with the academics of the Morgantown college. There is absolute ly NO EXCUSE for the beating of a Pittsburgh couple after the L.S.U. game Saturday. Neither is there ANY excuse for the wilful tossinf of coins at the Panther basketball coaches a couple of seasons ago. Until the West Virginians clean up their act, I will not be woeful that Pitt is looking to the future and looking to more disciplied student bodies across the field or arena. As for Coach Graham clarifying his statements, I say, thankyou. It is difficult to be candid when faced with a group of “professional” journalists who are looking to get a story with or without capturing the intent of the interviewee. I like the coaches candor and O admire his willingness to take his share of the blame. Now, lads and lassies, let us pick up our marbles and go home. Rev. George from Columbus

I managed to get a ticket to into Kinnick Stadium and found myself in the middle of Hawkeye season ticket holders. They stood the whole game and the which was great. They were very hospitable, even offering a seat cushion for the few minutes everyone sat down. They didn’t need to be rude. When they revved up the cheering in the 4th quarter, the reverberation was defeaning. After the game, I was stuck in traffic at the end of a bridge over a river before the hill leading to the stadium. Hords of Iowa fans streamed past my rent-a-car; no one even touched it despite the fact I had a Pitt shirt on. The only negative comment I got was from a drunk Iowa student (I think drunk as I walked past what seemed to be a series of beer stands) who whispered “eat shit Pitt” in my ear and laughed.

I just read about the incident after the WVU/LSU game on ESPN, then came here to see Chas had even more details. I agree with the Rev that this is yet another reason why I am not that upset about the possibility of losing the WVU game. The tolerance of this type of behavior from the WVU administration is appalling. Yes, I am sure that they will say all the right things, but the fact is that they do nothing to curb this type of behavior. I can almost guarantee that they will look at this as an isolated incident and point out that this type of thing happens in other places. There will be no connection to the sale of beer in the stadium (an insane decision from the start), the unwillingness to refuse entry to clearly intoxicated patrons (which might leave the stadium half-empty), or otherwise control a group that generally mistakes vulgarity for creativity.

My wife’s side of the family is from those hills. Seem like pleasant folk to me. I’m sure alcohol or some other drug was involved. In all likelihood, this was probably an isolated incident and I’m sure the administration doesn’t approve this type of behavior and is quite frankly very embarassed. Expect to see extra security at the next game and maybe some message from the President regarding fan behavior…again. I’m not here to defend the Hoopies, but let’s not over-react to what appears to be an isolated and unfortunate incident. Now the vulgarity of the fanbase is an established pattern of behavior going way back. Has WVU become a threatening environment to watch games since I don’t recall it as that way from my days. Although I must admit that I was often drunk myself and oblivious to any hostility or threats to my well being.

@TonyinHouston glad to hear your were treated great by the Hawkeyes. When Iowa lost to Pitt several years ago we met some great fans at Bettis’s after the game. Class acts and many of us enjoyed some adult beverages with them. And yes I even waited until AFTER the game to have my beverages( an idea apparently lost on Luck and the rest of the WVU educators). Though hard to want to call them educators at times

We handled the Oxygen for Pitt starting in 1962. The first game at wvu we worked was a nite game My father told me dont talk to or make any eyecontact Or return any objects thrown. I Will not miss those wvu fans on the other hand when Im a little down I utube rich frauds newsie and the world is right again

WVU is the only notable athletic outlet in the entire state. Because of this, 90% + of the fans in Morgantown on game day have no affiliation with the University, or Morgantown. Having been a life long resident of Western Pa, and of the greater Pittsburgh area, I have found that a much larger percentage of Pitt football fans, at least in more recent years, are alumni, or are affiliated with the University in some way, and have some incentive in not looking like total jackasses on a national stage. UPitt has to compete with the steelers, penguins, and Pirates, whereas WVU competes with no one. Imagine every jackass in Western PA, identifying with the University of Pittsburgh, claiming you as their own, and doing dumb, irresponsible things in your name.

People always ask why i hate WV so much and I always point to these type of facts, that (much like Flyer Fans) they pride themselves on being scumbags; roudy, rude, ignorant, and ofcourse no realistic view on sports.

I think the ACC will be in a holding pattern on expansion. They can wait and see if the BE breaks up or not. The real plum that would be on an island without a home would be ND. They will wake up one morning and realize they have to join a conference.

I agree with ho hum. I know a lot of WVU alums and count them as my friends. Unfortunately there are a lot of WVU fans who never went there or any other college for that manner. Those most likely are the trouble makers. I have Pitt buddies who vow never to go to a Pitt game in Morgantown again due to those type of “folks”.

I live just under an hour from Morgantown, have gone in my younger days to the backyard brawl down there, but since 1990 have not returned to WV for a game. I travel all over the country to see Pitt football and basketball every year but am afraid to take that 50 min ride to Morgantown for my families well being among WVU fans.
Ultamately WVU is responsible for the public’s safety whether its the actions of the student body or general citizens of WV. Those stadiums serving alcohol will have problems – Iowa was great (no alcohol served in stadium).

FrankCan: Went to the site mentioned about about Louisville going to the Big 12. It appears that TCU has a much better shot according to them than Louisville. Same site continues to mention WVU as second choice for SEC. I cannot understand Missouri’s reluctance to commit to the SEC. They would have a natural rivalry with Arkansas. They are a doormat in the Big 12 so why not take the pile of money and be a doormat in the SEC. They would at least be treated as an equal off the field as well as having a conference with stability.

Big East expansion plans continue to look bleak. It appears the football schools have completely given up on getting all conference additions to the conference. What would the service academies gain by join such a dysfunctional conference?

Pittsburgh kids going down to supposed this glorified community college, this cesspool known as Morganhole still boggles one’s mind.

I guess they can’t get into Pitt, so they have a grudge there(and they love the Eat Shit Pitt line, so juvenile) and they can’t get into State Penn,
so Morganhole here I come.

Hey I can act like a total imbecile and fit right in. I can beatup pregnant women and when there’s 50 of us against a pregnant woman and 3 others, we can be real tough guys.

You know we went down to Morganhole twice in the 5 years I went to Pitt. Never had a problem, we all had our Pitt gear, nobody said nothing to us. But this sports arena violence seems to be picking up around America, much like the nitwits around the world at soccer games that cause large riots.

OH and please with STOP with…..my oh my…what’s going to happen to WVU….we need them in the ACC.
Really ?

Why would we want such an abysmal community college associated with PITT anymore.
In fact I cringe when the TV announcers always somehow get that phrase, well Morganhole is only 150 miles from Pittsburgh, during a broadcast of a PITT game.

Some idiot adult down there almost put out Tom Herrion’s Eye with a quarter the other year. Probably was aiming to hit Jamie.

melvinbennett: You know as well as I that the ACC will never take WVU so that is not a problem. I would be good to have WVU leave the Big East and any other present conference member just so the abomination would blow up already. This gets us out of there as quick as possible.

MELVINBENNETT I know all that but when he was on the espn QB show some one had a report that he was five foot 10 or a little under five foot 11 and that was why no big time offers. it was a good site dont remmber the name and they were talking abought the inflated hights etc etc outhers at the time posted abought it you must have missed it we talked abought it for two posts.

melvinbennett the louisville posting i first saw on a blog but did not post it that was not good enough. than i saw it on college sports info and posted it. the point is if it is not on a good site i wont post it.

The same with the voytik hight if it was not agood site i would not post it. it was back when he was espn if that helps you find it.

point being i dont post things unless i think they could be true except if it is just my opion then i saw it is my thought or something like that.

When I looked at Malzahn’s first year at Auburn in 2008 last night, they were a very mediocre team at 5-7, losing to lightweight Vanderbilt and by 17 points to WVU. Yet they had over 167 plays that were over 15 yards, as opposed to 47 or so the year before that went for 15 yards or more.

Unless things change drastically, we’re looking at the 47 or so number.
Not good for a Triple Option Spread offense, that was billed as……(well you know the rest)

I mentioned something along these lines in a previous post. Things are different now. Spirited rivalries are something I promote, but the WVU thing has degenerated into something more insidious. To wit, I’ve been to a number of Notre Dame games in South Bend – you’ll be hard pressed to find a more polite fan base. Downright classy if you ask me. On multiple occasions I’ve been invited to join a tailgate, dressed in full Panthers garb, by some random group of ND fans. The conversation has always been pleasant (and the food has been pretty good too…). No one threw a rock through my window, no batteries were dodged, and no furniture was incinerated.

WVU is different. At WVU, I fear for my safety. It simply has no place in athletics. I take no comfort in the fact that non “rivals” are treated with the same complete lack of human dignity. It’s revolting. Simply put, I stand by my earlier comments; I won’t miss WVU at all. I couldn’t care less if they rot in some sub-conference hell and we never play them again. Traditions change, and sometimes its painful, but if its time to move on, so be it.

Dennis Miller tells a great story about when he and a buddie from Bobbie MO went down for a Pitt WVU game and he wore some Pitt gear and got the crap beat out of him! For every story on here, I have at least one more about the heathens at WVU.
They need us much more than we need them…will not cry a tear if we never play them in anything agian.

Voytik was officially measured at a major combine this summer at 5’11”. Don’t listen to sites like Scout or Rivals because they always exaggerate. And I don’t think 5’11” will be a problem in this particular offense.

My 11 year old son and I haven’t missed a Pitt home game in several years, and we try to get to two away games each year. Under no circumstances will I take him to Morgantown.
The sad part is the Steeler games have become very similar to Morganhole. A bunch of drunk guys who believe that their identities come from the home team….”How dare you come to our town and wear the other team’s colors.” I have seen terrible alcohol fueled incidents at Steeler games as well. It’s amazing to me how if you are a true fan you can get up in the middle of a series and go get a beer, and come back 20 minutes later…how do you miss even one play? I know that for my son and I, we look forward to the traditions of each saturday. It seems for many (no longer the minority)it is about the drinking, the tailgate and the party and less about the game.

Frank – the only story that seems to come up with that search is a message board post saying that ESPN is reporting the invite. There is no actual story on either cbssports.com or ESPN regarding this. I hate to say it, but this does not appear credible, at least at this time.

It is just a message board post. One of the messages says that ESPN has NOT reported it. So, I would not exactly call this a confirmed report. But where there is smoke there is fire…

I really hate to see the Big East falling apart like this. While the ACC is our future I did enjoy Pitt’s time in the Big East. Unfortunately, the arrogance of its past and present commissioners is now coming home to roost.

JCE YOU ARE RIGHT THAT IS WHAT COMES UP IT IS THE SAME POST BUT I FOUND IT ON A DIFFERENT SITE LAST NIGHT I DONT KNOW HOW TO GET BACK TO DAY. BUT WHERE THERE IS SMOKE THERES FIRE. PLUS TRY OTHER SITES I POSTED.

My dad & I went to a WVU?Pitt Basketball game in Morgantown, and although we sat in the nosebleeds, the WVU fans were classy and very nice. I think Thugs exist at all sporting events, they dragged 2 Pitt fans out of the enzone during last sat. ND game, so we as Pitt fans aren’t lilly white either. I would not paint the whole state of WVU with the same brush.

I do agree, ND fans are some of the classiest out there. Went to ND last year and it was an awesome experience.

for those who complain about WVU students and fans, I have to tell you that WVU natives only make up about 25% of the student body at WVU. The vast majority of students at WVU are from PA, MD, OH & NJ…PA comprises the most. So there is a good chance those “drunken thugs” in the studen section at WVU home games are sons and daughters from western PA. The WVU administration and sports department need to crack down to ensure the safety of visiting fans. Beer sales at the stadium is controversial to say the least and a really dumb idea motivated mostly by money…but included in the beer sales intitiative is a no re-entry after half time policy. Not to single out WVU, I would challenge some posters here to visit LSU, Clemson, Va Tech home games…I’m sure they would find similar behavior (of which there is no excuse), and if Pitt had as passionate a fan base, we might have similar problems